BILLS: Who will the Bills take? Our guys chime in

Greater Niagara Newspapers

April 25, 2008 11:32 pm

— Ask 10 different people and you’re likely to get 10 different responses.
Sitting at No. 11 overall, there’s no shortage of directions the Buffalo Bills could go with their first-round pick today when the 2008 NFL Draft kicks off at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.
We’ll spare you the pain of another painfully-wrong mock draft. But we can’t resist at least taking a stab at who the newest high-profile Bill will be.
Without further ado, our best guesses:

Tim Schmitt
Sports Editor
• THE PICK: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
• THE REASON: The Bills have had success with small-school corners through the years, with Terrence McGee being the most recent. Rodgers-Cromartie’s lankiness will make him attractive to Buffalo’s brass.

Jay Skurski
Tonawanda News Sports Editor
• THE PICK: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
• THE REASON: Because there’s a huge hole on the roster at No. 2 receiver. Because Thomas has speed (4.4 40-yard dash) and height (6-foot-2). Plus, he won’t be there in Round 2.

John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal sports editor
• THE PICK: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
• THE REASON: The Bills have solidified other aspects of their defense in the offseason. Let’s not neglect the wideouts. Thomas is a quality WR that fits the mold of receivers of the immediate future — good hands, fast and tall.

Jonah Bronstein
Sports reporter
• THE PICK: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
• THE REASON: The best kick returner in the draft belongs on the league’s best special teams. Rugged receivers and tight ends will be available later on.

Nate Beutel
Sports reporter
• THE PICK: Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
• THE REASON: I was an offensive lineman, I coach offensive linemen and I all-around just love offensive linemen. Plus, I don’t believe in Brad Butler as a long-term solution. The addition of Albert immediately gives the Bills one of the top O-lines in the AFC.

Rick Pfeiffer
Niagara Gazette reporter
• THE PICK: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
• THE REASON: If he’s there at 11, the best cover corner in the draft is the pick. High character guy, a shade under 6’ tall, 4.38 40 time, great closing speed, quick feet, fluid in his motion and a skilled returner. Not a ball hawk, but no one is perfect.

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